NATICK – The back of the bus stop shelter on Rte. 135 by the Town Common is getting a new look as two artists paint a colorful floral landscape on the brick structure's panels.

"We want the design to fit in with the landscape," said artist Liza Curtis, pointing to plants growing on the common.

The mural includes daffodils in recognition of a project done in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings to plant those flowers along the race route.

Curtis and fellow artist Monica Erickson had never worked together before being commissioned to paint the mural, the first of several public art projects the Natick Center Cultural District plans around downtown.

Though they have different styles, they said their work complements each other. They plan to work from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today on the Town Common and encourage people to come by and watch.

"It’s a really awesome opportunity," Erickson of painting something that will be so visible.

Erickson and Curtis said they drew outlines with chalk on the approximately 7-foot by 20-foot mural and make sure to step back periodically to see what their work looks like.

India Young, executive director of Natick Center Associates, said the cultural district is also planning for a mural on Common Street Community Church and a locks and keys project on the pedestrian bridge over the commuter rail tracks by Walnut Street. People will be able to place locks or keys on the bridge with messages on them or attached to them.

"It’s just another way of showing our dedication to public art by having different areas of town where you can find interesting pieces," Young said.

The district received some donations for the bus stop mural. Funding came from the MetroWest Visitors Bureau, the town and a state arts grant. Scott Libby installed panels and Ben Greenberg of Debsan's Decorating Store donated paint and primer.

Town and state agencies and committees have approved public art projects where possible, Young said.

Curtis said she hopes when people look at the finished mural "they can look around and think ‘I’m so happy I live in this town, a town that cares about the way it looks and about supporting local artists and the community and what a great place."

Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.